Drive-by Sailing

June 15, 2011

Rounding the leeward gate. Video by Lynn Davis ©2011 norcalsailing.com

In the midst of a week of practice matches held on the Cityfront for two of Oracle Racing's AC45s, seven of the eight challenger teams were announced at a press conference today at San Francisco's City Hall. Mayor Ed Lee welcomed the following:

China – China Team, Mei Fan Yacht Club
France – Aleph – Équipe De France, Aleph Yacht Club
France – Energy Team, Yacht Club de France
Italy – Venezia Challenge, Club Canottieri Roggero di Lauria
New Zealand – Emirates Team New Zealand, Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron
Republic of Korea – Team Korea, Sail Korea Yacht Club
Sweden – Artemis Racing, Kungliga Svenska Segel Sallskapet
United States – ORACLE Racing, Golden Gate Yacht Club (Defender)

A ninth confirmed team will be announced at a press conference on June 23 in Europe.

The umpires were on Jet Skis. Photo by Lynn Davis ©2011 norcalsailing.com

Bill Gage and Dick Taylor, race committee volunteers from Richmond YC. Their boat was the north gate mark. Photo by Lynn Davis ©2011 norcalsailing.com

The 2011 World Series schedule is as follows: August 6-14, Cascais, Portugal; September 10-18, Plymouth, England; November 12-20, San Diego.

San Francisco can look forward to two World Series events in 2012. The current plan is to announce the full 2012 schedule this October.

Louis Vuitton Cup, America’s Cup Challenger Series, will be held July 13 – September 1, 2013, in San Francisco, and the America’s Cup Finals are scheduled for September 7-22, 2013.

The water was flatter on Tuesday than on Monday, but all three days so far have been windy. Photo by Lynn Davis ©2011 norcalsailing.com

James Spithill's boat rounds the leeward gate. Photo by Lynn Davis ©2011 norcalsailing.com